Monday, December 31, 2007

Two weeks is a long time for three teenagers to be out of school. We've rented movies, played board games, video games, had friends over, had parties, celebrated Christmas, went to the movies, went to parties, played cards and there is still a week left until school starts again. So...

I bought a 1000 piece puzzle. Working on this puzzle is reminding me of starting my business. Looking at the 1000 puzzle pieces scattered all over the table is what it felt like when I first started my business. So many options to choose from with so many different directions I could take. Do I start with the edge pieces and make the frame first or should I start with the dolphin in the middle? Decisions, decisions. Should I do a little "research" first and start sorting the edge pieces from the other pieces?

Like starting my business do I just jump right in and try to get that first client or do I first work on the "frame" (the business plan). So many ways to go. I could join online networking groups to meet others doing what I'm doing and learn from them. But there are so many. Which one should I join? VANA, IVAA, the VA Revolution... or maybe all three? I could hire a coach or sign up for VA Training. I could spend months researching the Virtual Assistant industry online or I could learn from someone who has already done the research and get the Virtual Toolkit. I could read blogs and purchase ebooks. Do I need to start a newsletter? This list of options goes on and on. One could get stuck in the research stage and never get to the actual starting your business stage.

Starting your own business is a lot like starting a 1000 piece puzzle - overwhelming. Think how many rejections you get before that one successful yes! Those first two pieces that fit together (that first client) feels so good you have hope that maybe one day all the pieces will fit together and you will have a beautiful picture (a successful, thriving business).

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

There are only a few days left in 2007. To celebrate the New Year we are offering a special end of the year discount on our book Managing Your Thriving Business For Success. The New Year is just around the corner and this book can help you prepare your business for a prosperous 2008. In a fun and easy to read format you will learn more about...

Good time management and scheduling

Setting goals and evaluating them continuously

Setting boundaries and sticking to them

Good business planning, both short and long term

Evaluating your Return on Investment (ROI) for every business decision

Ensuring that you don't "go it" alone

Proper Stress Management

Much, Much more....

Now until December 31st at midnight you can get $5 off our book by entering the code 2007 in to the Discount Code box.

Make sure to purchase it by the 31st so you can record it as a business expense on your 2007 taxes.

"The Yule Log was created in 1966 by the station's general manager, Fred M. Thrower. Inspired by an animated Coca-Cola commercial a year earlier that showed Santa Claus at a fireplace, he envisioned this television program as a televised Christmas gift to those residents of "The Big Apple" who lived in apartments and homes without fireplaces."

Thursday, December 20, 2007

I can tell it's almost Christmas... things are slowing down around here. I think all my client's are out Christmas shopping. In the spirit of the holidays I thought I would share my virtual Christmas tree with you all. Please feel free to add decorations to it.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Are you a "yes" person? Are you constantly feeling stressed out? Are you always behind on projects? If you answered yes to these questions I have a feeling you are an over promiser or a yesaholic.

It's okay to say no. And it is okay to take your time on a project. If a client wants a new Web site and you estimate it is going to take 4 weeks to complete how about giving yourself a break and telling the client it will take 6-8 weeks. This gives you more room for creativity, things that might come up, technical issues, etc. Now if you actually do finish the Website in 4 weeks your client will be delighted that you got it done early.

What else are you saying yes to? Think about it. Be conscious and aware every time you say yes (or no). When you are saying yes to volunteering at your kid's school what are you saying no to? When you say yes to doing a last minute project for your client that is going to require you to work over the weekend what and who are you saying no to?

Tip: Every time you are about to say yes to something stop and ask yourself what you are saying no to. If saying yes to doing that last minute project for your client means saying no to the date you had planned with your significant other... maybe you want to say no to the client. Or tell the client yes I can do that for you and have it ready by Wednesday (not Monday).

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

It keeps me in contact with old friends and family. I've met so many friends that I would have never met if it weren't for the internet. I wouldn't have this wonderful business if it weren't for the internet. And, I have learned so much from the internet... I learn everyday from my friends in the box, the forums I hang out at, Web sites, other blogs, e-courses, e-books, google, articles, etc.

I came across this news story today about a woman who lost 500 pounds thanks to the internet. Watch it here at Yahoo video.

The internet has changed the way we interact with people. First impressions are not all about looks anymore. When you meet someone on the internet you have the chance of someone getting to know you and listening to your thoughts and ideas before making a judgment about you based on your looks. I think that's pretty cool.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Thanks to the MyBlogLog recent readers widget (located at the bottom right side of this blog), I stumbled upon Anna J's blog MyHints.Net and read the post Everything Is Against You, Bring It on Track. I'll let you read the post yourself. But I wanted to mention one tip that she suggests. I love this tip!

“Set a reminder to ask yourself and answer this question daily: Am I doing what’s on my plan?”

Are you remembering to read your goals everyday? Are you sticking to your plan?

I think I am going to set up my calendar to pop the question "Am I doing what’s on my plan?" up on my screen everyday... about mid-day.